WORD READING MAGIC 2 1.4

Word Reading Magic 2 focuses on the crucial skill of "BLENDING" instead of traditional consonant blends. Teaching children to blend the sounds in a word leads to effective reading of words with adjacent consonants. For example, blending the sounds /h/ + /a/ + /n/ + /d/ creates the word "hand."

In contrast, memorizing lists of adjacent consonant combinations can be inefficient and confusing for emerging readers. While some programs emphasize consonant blends like fl, bl, and st, the reality is that adjacent consonants like those in "step" do not create new sounds. The misconception that adjacent consonants make different sounds leads to unnecessary complexity in reading instruction.

It's important to differentiate between digraphs, where two adjacent consonants create a new sound (e.g., "sh" in "ship," "ch" in "chair"), and regular consonant blends. Proper reading instruction involves teaching blending skills first and introducing digraphs later on.

Many programs offer extensive lists of non-digraph consonant clusters like bl, fr, tr as well as st, mp, lp among others. This approach can overwhelm young learners and hinder their reading progress by focusing on methods that lack clarity.

Teaching advanced phonograms and spelling rules alongside consonant blends can lead to confusion for children still mastering basic reading skills. Word Reading Magic 2 encourages a straightforward approach by concentrating on blending practice without the unnecessary complexity of blend lists.

The app provides ample opportunities for practicing CCVC & CVCC words, introducing vocabulary that may be unfamiliar to young learners. The images within the app provide clear visual cues, eliminating any guesswork and aiding vocabulary development.

Feedback and suggestions for the app are welcomed to ensure continual improvement.